Albay province has long suffered from unreliable power and is constantly exposed to natural hazards. In the recent provincial candidates forum, Vision for Business: Albay’s Candidates’ Insights, held at the Marison Hotel, on Wednesday, April 30, the candidates proposed their plans to tackle the twin crises: unreliable electricity and climate vulnerability, with a focus on modernization, renewable energy, and disaster resilience.
Addressing Albay’s Power Crisis
Albay’s electrical problems with rising costs, frequent disruptions, and poor infrastructure have taken front stage in this year’s election conversation. Several rivals have proposed a phased approach to modernize ALECO (Albay Electric Cooperative) and shift to renewable energy.
Joey Salceda outlined a comprehensive three-step strategy: physical rehabilitation of Aleco’s outdated systems, financial restructuring of its P6.4 billion debt, and the establishment of localized microgrids.
“We already secured P1.2 billion of the P1.8 billion needed for modernization,” he said. “Microgrids in areas like Manito and Tiwi will reduce system loss and can deliver power as low as four pesos per kilowatt-hour.”
Krisel Lagman advocated for diversification through renewable energy, especially in off-grid areas like San Miguel Island.
“Nahihiling mi po na maging alternatibo an solar energy duman, may mga bago na pong mga estilo ang solar energy, ang mga solar panels, igwa na po ki mga bagong modelo na pwede na pong maging typhoon resistant,” she noted, adding that if successful, San Miguel could become a supplier of renewable energy to other municipalities. (We are hoping that solar energy can become an alternative there. There are now new types of solar energy systems, new models of solar panels that can already be typhoon-resistant.)
“Magigi man po giraray siyang hybrid para konektado man giraray po siya sa main source of energy which is AlECO, pero at least igwa po kaming alternatibo, lalong lalo na makakasave ini ki kuryente.” (It can still be a hybrid setup so it stays connected to the main source of energy, which is Aleco, but at least we’ll have an alternative—especially since this can help save on electricity costs.)
Meanwhile, Jil Bongalon stressed the need for systemic reform and legislative action to address Albay’s energy crisis.
“Systems loss, kung mahiling mo po sa resibo, saro sa tigbabayadan kan konsumidores, bayad na kung sain dae man nagamit kan konsumidores,” he said, citing mismanagement and illegal connections as major issues. (System loss—if you closely check your electric bill, is one of the charges consumers pay for, even though it covers electricity they never actually used.)
He backed the Anti-Pilferage Law and pushed for Aleco’s rehabilitation through a proposed ₱1. 2 billion fund and leadership overhaul. Bongalon also urged AlECO to shift from costly coal to cheaper renewable sources like solar, hydro, and wind.
“Mas barato ang tigpapabakal nindang kuryente compared duman sa power generating company na ang gamit coal, ibig sabihon, power an ALECO, dapat magkua sila ng kontrata sa mga renewable energy,” while criticizing areas like Manito for not participating in more affordable procurement options. (The electricity they sell is cheaper compared to power-generating companies that use coal. This means Aleco should secure contracts with renewable energy providers.)
Noel Rosal, who led the move to return ALECO under local control, emphasized the need for capital infusion, proper leadership, and competitive bidding through the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) to ensure sustainable energy rates.
Rosal explained that ALECOs debts ballooned from ₱2 billion to ₱6 billion during its management under private sector participation through APEC. He underscored the urgent need to rehabilitate ALECO’s aging infrastructure and strengthen its leadership.
“The first thing is alam ta bankrupt ang ALECO, we have to infuse capital, digdii ta mahihiling su tabang kan congressman or kan national government, pwede kita mag take out ki loan,” he noted, adding that a rehabilitation plan is in place, which includes tackling debt, seeking grants, and upgrading substations. (The first thing is, we know ALECO is bankrupt. We have to infuse capital—we can rely on help from the congressman or the national government, or we might need to take out a loan.)
He stressed that the ALECO board must now prioritize the CSP to allow for competitive bidding and lower power rates.
“Dapat we come up now with CSP ta dakulon kita pwedeng bakalan, we can negotiate, although baga one grid policy kita meaning gabos na source nasa grid pero ang pag negotiate, we can negotiate directly,” said Rosal, pointing out that although Albay follows a one-grid policy, the province can still negotiate directly with energy suppliers. (We need to implement the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) now because there are many suppliers we can buy from, we can negotiate.)
“Kan 2022, ready kuta, an sabi ko nga sa mga tawo, number 1 bako libre ang kuryente, number 2 dapat gabos kita magbayad, number 3 dapat we have to rehabilitate ALECO,” he concluded, adding that true reform will require strong political will. (Back in 2022, I told our people three things: electricity is not free, everyone must pay, and we have to rehabilitate Aleco.)
For Jun Alegre, the issue runs deeper than management, it’s about enforcing accountability.
“Problema na talaga an ALECO, dahil nga po kita ang nagseserve ki 2 geothermal plants, an Tiwi buda an Manito, magayon po ang argumento pero dae po nag materialize,” he said. (The problem with Aleco is really serious because we serve two geothermal plants, Tiwi and Manito. The argument is good, but it hasn’t materialized.)
Alegre recalled how large consumers previously refused to pay and had to be publicly named. “Para sakuya, dae malaogan nin politika dapat an ALECO, magkaigwa nin political will,” he added. (For me, politics should not be involved. Aleco needs political will.)
Adrian Salceda supported the importance of modernizing ALECO, with ₱1.8 billion needed for the upgrade.
“We already secured 1.2 billion, I will secure the remaining 600 million para po sa modernization so we can have options for alternative sources for electricity like wind forms and iba pa,” he said, noting that modernization would allow for alternative energy sources like wind farms. (We already secured ₱1.2 billion, I will secure the remaining ₱600 million for modernization so we can have options for alternative sources of electricity like wind farms and others.)
He also proposed that large consumers like malls and industries should qualify for Retail Electricity Supplier (RES) status under the EPIRA Law.
Christopher Co pointed out the benefits of reducing system loss by securing national government funding for ALECO’s rehabilitation. He also advocated exploring alternative power sources beyond renewables.
“Dapat po an problema po digdi sa philippines, dae pa tig aako su nuclear and su incinerator, i-accept po dapat kan mga Pilipino ang mga alternative na powerplant,” he said, noting how countries like Hong Kong and Singapore convert waste to electricity without pollution due to modern technology. (The problem here in the Philippines is that we haven’t adopted nuclear and incinerator power plants. Filipinos should accept alternative power plants.)
Fernando Cabredo argued for urgent amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). Cabredo proposed introducing net metering for solar adopters and stronger consumer protection.
“Reinforce customer protection, we all know na nagiging subject top abuse ini tabing mga pass on rates na pigtatao sa customers, ripasuhon ini,” he said. “Improve transparency and accountability dapat may real data reports kung ano ang nangyayari sa pagbebenta ng kuryente.” (Reinforce customer protection, we all know that pass-on rates have become subject to abuse, which customers are being charged unfairly. This needs to be addressed. We need to improve transparency and accountability, and there should be real-time data reports on what’s happening in electricity sales.)
Several candidates also addressed water utilities, opposing privatization and instead supporting improved public management of water districts to keep rates affordable and ensure service continuity.
Building Resilience against Disasters
Albay is no stranger to nature’s wrath. Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, it faces regular typhoons, volcanic activity, and flooding. Candidates agreed that disaster resilience should be built into governance systems and infrastructure.
Salceda advocated for family-centered disaster preparedness and proposed embedding disaster risk reduction (DRR) protocols into all local livelihood programs.
“Families in Rapu-rapu, they should know what to do because I will not be there to protect them in case there is a typhoon, a tsunami, so you should build resiliency within the family,” he said. He also proposed creating supply chains external to Albay for emergency aid delivery when the province itself is affected.
Lagman emphasized infrastructure designed with resiliency in mind. “Kaya ngani po sa Tabaco nagibo na kami nin sadiri ming disenyo, elevated siya para di laogan ki tubig, slope siya para kaya maski anong kusog kan parus dae siya matatalbo igwa na po siyang solar panels ta aram ta very erratic and dae maano an power, igwa po siyang rain water catchment dakulon man sana kitang tubig then let us harness it,” she shared. (That’s why in Tabaco, we created our own design—it’s elevated so water can’t get in, and it’s sloped so it can withstand even the strongest typhoons without being toppled. It also has solar panels because we know power is very erratic and unstable. It has a rainwater catchment system too—we have plenty of water, so let’s harness it.)
For Bongalon, institutionalizing resilience starts with permanent evacuation centers and properly equipped responders. He highlighted his proposed “Ligtas Pinoy Act,” which allocates national funds for evacuation facilities. “The national government will allocate funding for constructing permanent evacuation centers, tapuson na an mga nakaugalian ta na kada kalamidad, naga evacuate kita sa mga eskwelahan dapat igwa na kita mas maray na kapasidad, mas ligtas, mas komportable,” he said. (The national government will allocate funding for constructing permanent evacuation centers. We need to end the practice of always evacuating to schools during disasters—we should have better facilities that are safer and more comfortable.)
Rosal emphasized that disaster preparedness in Albay should go beyond saving lives and focus on business continuity.
“Pig discuss ko ngani kay Cong Joey, the system is already in place, the majority of the people, ang kaipuhan lang talaga consistent na ma-implement ta yan, like Legazpi, zero casualty, namamantain ta ‘yan.” he said. (I already discussed this with Cong. Joey—the system is in place, and most people know what to do. What’s really needed is consistent implementation, citing Legazpi City’s ability to maintain its zero-casualty record as proof.)
Rosal highlighted the need for underground utilities and all-weather telecommunications, and proposed that continuity plans include having employees safely return to workplaces post-disaster. “What is important now for albay, we are noted as one of the best in the country, ang kaipuhan lang talaga, infusement of capital when it comes to utilities,” he added. (What’s important now for Albay, being recognized as one of the best in the country for disaster response, is ensuring capital infusion, especially for our utilities.)
The Challenge Ahead
Candidates agree that improving Albay’s power and disaster preparedness are inseparable in a climate-vulnerable province. As typhoons grow stronger and energy demands increase, the urgency to future-proof the province is clear. With concrete strategies, funding, and political will now on the table, these strategies may no longer remain promises on paper but become realities in policy. In a region shaped by fire, storm, and power surges, the next leaders of Albay are being called to build not just for the next term, but for the next generation.
The conversation has begun; now the province awaits action.